Which new MTB

I'm a roadie mainly, but thinking of getting a new MTB for off road jollies, mud splattering fun
etc. So what do I go for? I'm thinking Marin Rift Zone with Hope discs, but any views of other
similar priced bikes? Are they as good/better/worse or what? The bike will be used around the
Chilterns for brodle path bashing & for trips to Wales; Rhayader, Coed y Brenin etc.

All (polite) views welcome.

Niv

"Niv" <niv@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:2AR1b.821$NR6.265773@newsfep2-gui.server.ntli.net...
> I'm thinking Marin Rift Zone with Hope discs, but any views of other
similar
> priced bikes? Are they as good/better/worse or what? The bike will be used around the Chilterns
> for brodle path bashing & for trips to Wales; Rhayader, Coed y Brenin etc.

The only negative comment I've heard of the Rift Zone/Mount Vision range is that they are bland,
the mtb equivalent of a Mondeo. So if you want a proven and competent XC bike then they are a
good choice
:-)
I have an older RZ and a friend is on his second Mount Vision (Same frame across the range but
different components). These bikes get some serious regular hammer in the Peak District as well as
excursions elsewhere (Wales, Lake District) along with local bridleway stuff. The only weak areas
have been the OEM headsets and wear on the rear shock pivot bush, probably common to other bikes
anyway. The components are on a par with other big name manufactures for a given price range.

The Hopes on my friends bike perform well but the Peak District gritty peat can eat pads if the
wrong compounds are chosen, as indeed it eats V-brake pads. The Hope rear hub has proved user
friendly for servicing.

Not a lot else to say other than it would take some serious convincing to make me not buy another
when replacement is due.

Pete

> The only weak areas have been the OEM headsets and wear on the rear shock pivot bush, probably
> common to other bikes anyway.

I agree with your comment on the rear shock bush; mine started to knock after a few months, never
got any worse and after 3 years I changed it in about 30 minutes. It cost less than £4 so I bought 2
(the spare on is sat on my desk right now). It's knocking again but I shall wait another year or so
before replacing it.

> The Hopes on my friends bike perform well but the Peak District gritty
peat
> can eat pads if the wrong compounds are chosen, as indeed it eats V-brake pads. The Hope rear hub
> has proved user friendly for servicing.
>

Hope brakes pads last a long time in my experience, well over a year - which equates to about 1000
miles (in muddy Mid-Wales).

Marin FRS are excellent bikes and if you wait until November you may be able to pick them up
with discount.

John.

"Eatmorepies" <wigglestopPLUG@lineone.net> wrote in message
news:bib5cq$7dt9s$1@ID-109188.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Hope brakes pads last a long time in my experience, well over a year -
which
> equates to about 1000 miles (in muddy Mid-Wales).

Just visited your neck of the woods (Mon) and ridden the excellent Continental Trail at
Nant-yr-Arian. The singletrack is awesome, truly well planned and constructed, and the views across
to Aberystwyth stunning.

We'll be back!!

Pete